Death’s Embrace: Box Set 1 – 4

HEART OF DUST: “Heart of Dust starts out with a bang, and although there are places to rest along the way, it carries you through the story like a heat-seeking missile. The slow burn relationship between Nathaniel and Doran is completely believable, somewhat tragic, and not entirely resolved by the end of the story, leaving the reader craving more. And truly unexpected revelations rock his world – I love it when an author’s plot can truly surprise me. … The only thing I hated about the book was that it ended. … This is an e-ticket ride, a roller coaster plunge through the machinations and politics of a fascinating society – a master class in fantasy storytelling.”

SOUL OF ASH: “I was really impressed by the first book, and Moore manages to continue the high level of quality, both in plot and world building, in the second novel. … This is a mesmerizing, well written, well paced series that combines fantasy and romance in a way that feels entirely natural. Moore is a master at slowly building the tension, and really putting her characters through it. Go to your favorite book vendor and grab the series if you haven’t already – go ahead. I’ll wait. You won’t regret it.”

THRONE OF LIES: “The world building in this series is tight, fantastically done and just feels complete and perfect. Moore weaves in elements of Celtic, Jewish, Chinese and other cultures to craft her own unique creation. There are so many other places that are mentioned in the story that we have not yet gotten to see too—Moore has left herself lots of room to grow in this world. …This is a diverse, inclusive, well written fantasy series that meets my highest bar—it’s not like anything that I’ve ever read before. … I can’t recommend a series, and this particular book as well, highly enough. If I gave stars, this would be a six out of five.”

VALLEY OF SECRETS: “You know that feeling when you’re down to the last twenty pages of the last book of a series you really loved, and you don’t want it to end, so you start reading slower and slower to drag out the inevitable? That. Hard. For Valley of Secrets, (currently) the last book in H.L. Moore’s blockbuster fantasy series “Death’s Embrace.” I have it on good authority that there will be more coming, and thank the writing gods, because this is one hell of a series. … This is the best fantasy series I’ve read in a long time, on a par with the greats – right up there with McCaffrey, Wurts, Donaldson, and Kay. Epic, extremely well plotted, and with a unique world that offers so many different possibilities for future storytelling. Grab a copy now and get reading. You won’t be disappointed.”

Scott is the founder of Queer Sci Fi, and a fantasy and sci fi writer in his own right, with more than 30 published short stories, novellas and novels to his credit, including two trilogies.

HEART OF DUST: "This was my first book by this author, and I had no idea what to expect. But my heart being ripped from my chest wasn’t it. ...
In the midst of the chaos of his life, Doran’s only refuge is Nathaniel’s shop and his presence, but Nathaniel is hiding secrets of his own. Addicted to a toxic drug called Death’s Embrace made from a poisonous plant, his days are numbered, but that isn’t the worst thing about him. ... From the beginning, this book grabbed me and refused to let me go. Doran, Nathaniel, and Lien are all extremely relatable characters who felt real. There are no chunky blocks of text to describe the past, the world, the religion, and yet, all of it is brought to life vividly. ... Immediately on finishing it, I started the next book. If you love character driven fantasy with complex characters, well developed worlds, and fast paced plots, you will find this right up your alley.

SOUL OF ASH: "Once again, fast paced but with enough room for the characters to grow, to find themselves, to deal with their own inner monsters while having to survive a world that seems determined to trample them underfoot. I loved that Nathaniel got his own PoV in this because he is such an intriguing character. Despite having been an assassin for most of his adult life, and a killer since fourteen, he comes across as a good person, with a capacity for kindness that is astounding. Incredible character work, a compelling plot, and evocative writing all combine to form yet another unforgettable book. I’m off to read the next book."

THRONE OF LIES: "This one was as fast paced as the rest. I love Grace and how her struggles and her emotions are both brought to life so vividly. She is such a mature character that it’s hard to remember she’s only eighteen and already dealing with so much. Even Doran has to be reminded by Nathaniel that his daughter is only eighteen. The end of this book has my heart in complete tatters and therefore, I have to read the next book IMMEDIATELY."

VALLEY OF SECRETS: "If you love well developed fantasy worlds with fast paced, compelling plot lines, complex, flawed, and well rounded characters who feels real, you should give this book and this series a try."

"This one is going to be a long one, folks. Moore has many books, I have now read every single one of them. I have so much to say about each of them – especially her currently incomplete series Death’s Embrace, so instead of doing four pages of reviews each, I’m going to do one long one. ... But let me tell you, folks – you should absolutely read exactly all of these books."

HEART OF DUST: "If you’re looking for a quick and engaging fantasy read, or if you’re a fan of Pacat’s Captive Prince, give Heart of Dust a go. If you’ve already read it, let me know what you think!"

SOUL OF ASH: "As solid a book as Heart of Dust was, Soul of Ash was definitely a step up in terms of character development, intrigue and plot complexity. It’s another easy and fast read, and I really encourage readers who are looking to dip their toe into fantasy to give this series a go."

THRONE OF LIES: "Throne of Lies has been a long time coming for people who were already familiar with the series, but it’s well worth the wait. It pushes the relationships between all the characters to new heights and completely changes the game. "

VALLEY OF SECRETS: "Valley of Secrets is a fantastic end to the stories of these characters. It wraps up all the loose threads but also introduces mysteries of its own. There’s a plot twist that comes in the forest that I definitely didn’t see coming and made my jaw drop. If you’ve stuck with the series this far, you won’t be disappointed, and if you’re new to the series, you’re lucky you don’t have to wait to see how it all comes to a close."

“Doran had a problem, and it wasn’t that he’d been stabbed.”

With a sentence like a gunshot, Moore’s book takes off sprinting. We open with miner Doran inciting a riot against the tyrannical Archon Bryson. His actions are deliberately reckless, endangering both the rioters and himself alike, and not only Doran, and blood spills on the cobbled streets of the colourful Iole City. Doran must find shelter quickly, bleeding to death while he’s being hunted by the Archon’s guards.

Just in time, he spots an apothecary’s, and gracefully passes out on Nathaniel Morganstern’s doorstep. From there, the fuse is lit on this slowburn romance. Moore is a master at showing and not telling, letting the characters’ chemistry speak for itself. I’ve never read a more sexually-charged scene involving someone getting stitched up.

But this isn’t just a story of romance. Iole City itself is a living thing, from the rich Bronze district, to the perilous and hungry mines that choke the life from the poorest. The fires of revolution are burning, and like an open flame in a coal mine, the results threaten to be explosive, And Grace Harrington, Doran’s estranged daughter, is in the blast zone.

As one of my favourite reads of the year, I cannot recommend Heart of Dust more.

HEART OF DUST: "On the whole, Heart of Dust was an excellent read. There’s a palpable sense of time and place and the world building is strong without becoming excessive. Nathaniel and Doran are a complicated couple and their connection is built upon an unstable foundation indeed and I got the impression romance will be a hard fought battle for them despite their chemistry. I’m very much looking forward to the sequel to this book and I think anyone who likes their romances a bit more complex will enjoy Heart of Dust."

SOUL OF ASH: "I loved Soul of Ash, even more than I did the first book in the series. It has everything that I enjoy about quality fantasy: a strong story, in-depth world building, and fantastic characters. Add in a healthy dose of angst and it’s pretty much a recipe for great reading. Doran and Nathaniel are complex and compelling characters. Both men carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and there are no easy answers for either of them."

THRONE OF LIES: "I throughly enjoyed Throne of Lies and I’m so glad this series is back under way. The characters are multi-layered and engaging, while the plot and world building are wonderfully rendered. On the whole, the series has everything I love as a reader – fantastic characters, a decent amount of angst that does not tip over into hopelessness, and a well-realized and engaging storyline. If you were fans of the first two books, you’re going to enjoy Throne of Lies and I highly recommend the entire series!"

VALLEY OF SECRETS: "Valley of Secrets is, for the most part, another excellent installment in the Death’s Embrace series. I have loved this series since the beginning and I am so happy to see it moving forward again. There are more books expected at some point down the road and, while Valley of Secrets resolves some parts of the wider plot, there are still plenty of challenges awaiting Doran and Nathaniel. Consider this one recommended, as is the entire series!"